After decades of madness in the Bronx, Isaac Sidel visits the craziest state in the country Isaac Sidel is too popular to be America's vice president. Once the New York Police Department commissioner, he became the most beloved mayor in the city's history--famous for his refusal to surrender his Glock, and for his habit of disappearing for months at a time to fight crime at street level. So when baseball czar J. Michael Storm asks Sidel to join him on the election's Democratic ticket, the two wild men romp to an unprecedented landslide. But as the president-elect's mandate goes off the rails--threatened by corruption, sex, and God knows what else--he tires of being overshadowed by Sidel, and dispatches him to a place from which tough politicians seldom return: Texas. In the Lone Star state, Sidel confronts rogue astrologers, accusations of pedophilia, and a dimwitted assassin who doesn't know when to take an easy shot. If this Bronx bomber doesn't watch his step, he risks making vice-presidential history by getting killed on the job.

(Nero Wolfe, Sherlock Holmes, Miss Marple, Hercule Poirot, Maigret, Ellery Queen, Philip Marlowe) Whatever did happen to Sherlock Holmes? Was Marlowe no more than a figment of Chandler’s imagination, or was he really his alter ego? Why did Simenon gloss over those details of Maigret’s private life? Readers of the detective story have puzzled for decades over these and other intriguing questions about their heroes—and heroines. Now Julian Symons, himself a master crime writer, suggests some of the answers in the form of amusing and revealing incidents in the lives of the world’s most famous detectives, together with some hitherto undocumented case histories. With him we walk the roads and lanes of St Mary Mead in the company of its vicar, learning many fascinating details of Miss Marple’s past. We quiz Archie Goodwin in his den and gain a clue to the ultimate fate of Nero Wolfe. We disentangle the facts of Poirot’s career from the rumors, and uncover the history of Ellery Queen. While the stealthiest detective buff will find this new information essential reading, the newcomer will simply be delighted by this introduction to the worlds of The Great Detectives. (Publisher’s description) Contents: How a hermit was disturbed in his retirement — About Miss Marple and St Mary Mead — In which Archie Goodwin remembers — Which expounds the Ellery Queens mystery — About Maigret and the stolen papers — The life of Hercule Poirot : based on the notes of Captain Arthur Hastings — About the birth of Philip Marlowe

Performance by Kathy Bates Six cassettes, 9 hours INDEMNITY ONLY Meeting an anonymous client late on a sizzling summer night is asking for trouble. But trouble is Chicago private eye V.I. Warshawski's specialty. Her client says he's the prominent banker, John Thayer. Turns out he's not. He says his son's girlfriend, Anita Hill, is missing. Turns out that's not her real name. V.I.'s search turns up someone soon enough -- the real John Thayer's son, and he's dead. Who's V.I.'s client? Why has she been set up and sent out on a wild-goose chase? By the time she's got it figured, things are hotter -- and deadlier -- than Chicago in July. V.I.'s in a desperate race against time. At stake: a young woman's life. BURN MARKS Someone knocking on the door at 3 A.M. is never good news. For V.I. Warshawski, the bad news arrives in the form of her wacky, unwelcome Aunt Elena. The fire that has just burned down a sleazy SRO hotel has brought Elena to V.I.'s doorstep. Uncovering an arsonist -- and the secrets hidden behind Elena's boozy smile - will send V.I. into the seedy world of Chicago's homeless... into the Windy City's backroom deals and bedroom politics, where new schemers and old cronies team up to get V.I. off the case -- by hook, by crook, or by homicide. BLOOD SHOT This time, V.I.'s girlhood pal Caroline needs her services. Caroline wants V.I. to uncover the identity of her father--which Caroline's dying mother angrily refuses to divulge. For V.I., it's a routine missing-persons search that means going back to her old stomping grounds, where she's not so hot to trot. But Caroline calls it quits when her friend, the head of a local recycling projec, is found dead in the polluted waters of a local pond. The trouble is, V.I. won't quit--because the search for Caroline's father has lead her into a toxic mix of corporate chicanery and chemical corruption. Add a dire family secret, and you've got a brew that could prove poisonous--especially to a certain private eye who knows too much.

The adventures of New York Mayor Isaac Sidel as he cleans the Bronx of criminals and protects his friends. The latter include two 12-year-olds, one a poor graffiti artist, the other his rich girlfriend, who have become the target of drug-dealing street gangs. By the author of Little Angel Street.

The Isaac Quartet contains four detective stories from an internationally acclaimed master of the genre. Blue Eyes, the first book in Jerome Charyn’s legendary crime series, introduces Isaac Sidel — the toughest, most incorruptible police inspector in the biz. In Marilyn the Wild, Isaac confronts the hot-headed daughter of the first deputy police commissioner. The Education of Patrick Silver tells the story of a giant shoeless Irishman who becomes just another pawn in the war between Isaac and a gang of Peruvian pimps. And in Secret Isaac, a scar on a prostitute’s cheek sends Isaac on a desperate trip to Ireland in search of relief from the tightening grip on his soul. “Packed with manic energy, peopled with bizarre characters and outrageous situations. [Charyn] sounds like a ... Jewish Philip Marlowe.” — Chicago Sun-Times “These books constitute the highest kind of novelistic art ... absolutely unique among contemporary writers.” — Los Angeles Times

"Shadows by the Sea" is a gripping Golden Age mystery by the acclaimed master of suspense, J. Jefferson Farjeon. Set against the moody and atmospheric backdrop of the English coast, the narrative unfolds through a series of eerie occurrences and clandestine encounters that disturb the peace of a seaside community. When a group of disparate characters finds themselves entwined in a web of secrets and unexpected danger, the tension escalates into a classic puzzle of crime and deduction. Farjeon, renowned for his ability to blend humor with genuine thrills, crafts a story where the setting itself-the shifting tides and darkening shores-becomes a character in its own right. As shadows lengthen by the sea, the protagonists must navigate a labyrinth of motives and hidden identities to uncover the truth behind a looming threat. This work stands as a quintessential example of early twentieth-century British crime fiction, showcasing the clever plotting and evocative prose that made Farjeon a favorite of readers and critics alike. Fans of traditional detective stories and atmospheric thrillers will find "Shadows by the Sea" an enduringly suspenseful and entertaining read, representative of the high-water mark of 1920s mystery writing. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

A puzzling publishing murder attracts the eye of Ellery Queen. Mandarin Press is a premier publishing house for foreign literature, but to those at the top of this enterprise, there is little more beautiful than a rare stamp. As Donald Kirk, publisher and philatelist, prepares his office for a banquet, an unfamiliar man comes to call. No one recognizes him, but Kirk's staff is used to strange characters visiting their boss, so Kirk's secretary asks him to wait in the anteroom. Within an hour the mysterious visitor is dead on the floor, head bashed in with a fireplace poker, and everything in the anteroom has been quite literally turned upside down. The rug is backwards; the furniture is backwards; even the dead man's clothes have been put on front-to-back. As debonair detective Ellery Queen pries into the secrets of Mandarin Press, every clue he finds is topsy-turvy. The great sleuth must tread lightly, for walking backwards is a surefire way to step off a cliff.

Dame Edna Everage - housewife, megastar, investigative journalist, social anthropologist, children's book illustrator, chanteuse, swami, monstre sacre, polymath, adviser to British royalty, grief counselor, spin doctor, and gifted woman in the world today. The seeds of stardom were planted in Melbourne, Australia when her career as a performing artiste was strictly a cult following. In the 1960's, she did a series of one-woman shows and occasional stage and TV appearances in England with Barry Humphries. She spends her time visiting world leaders and jet-setting between her homes in Malibu, London, Sydney, and Switzerland. Her hobbies are having afternoon tea with Stephen Hwking and doing compassionate photography.

Unravel a chilling mystery in Ben Hecht's "The Florentine Dagger," a gripping novel for amateur detectives steeped in historical intrigue. Journey into the depths of the human psyche as this classic work of historical fiction explores the complex intersection of crime and insanity. Hecht, a master storyteller, crafts a tale where the line between sanity and madness blurs, challenging readers to question what they believe. A timeless exploration of psychological suspense, "The Florentine Dagger" delves into the dark corners of the mind. This meticulously prepared print edition offers a new opportunity to experience Hecht's masterful prose. Perfect for fans of classic detective stories and those fascinated by the intricacies of psychological thrillers, this novel remains a compelling and thought-provoking read. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Dust jacket design by Muni Lieblein. His 2nd book. A novel set in Paris about sex, money, adventure & fear. A classic spy thriller.

"Ellery had a simple case. A few days of discreet snooping, some choice advice, and the inimitable sleuth would blithely restore domestic harmony to the millionaire couple Dirk and Martha Lawrence. And then came the scarlet letters. And finally the cryptic clue...scrawled in a murdered man's blood. A simple case? Unless Ellery did some super-fast sleuthing, he'd have nothing to show but a very scarlet face."

Winner of the Edgar Allan Poe Award from Mystery Writers of America. Final Decree reads like a thriller. Yet, by sheer literary skill, George Jonas thrills us not through artificial catastrophes of far-fetched fiction, but through the dangers and suspense of familiar, everyday life. Kazmer Harcsa, an immigrant carpenter, has worked unstintingly to give his wife, Petrona, and their two children all the comforts of a modest middle-class life in Toronto. Kazmer's confident dreams of a happy future are shattered, however, on the day he comes home to find his family gone and himself a casualty of Petrona's quest for self-fulfillment. Confronted by trendy divorce lawyers and judges, who mistake his native wit for simple-mindedness and his fierce pride for insolence, Kazmer becomes desperate in his search for justice. Humiliation gives way to rage when he decides that to be a man worthy of his ancestors he must take the law into his own hands. A controversial indictment of how progressive laws destroy the very people they seek to protect, Final Decree is, above all, a work of literature. It strips away the masks of fashion to focus on the basic emotions of men and women. It does not plead for social reform, but celebrates the resilience of the human spirit. Tragedy, suspense and controversy combine to make Final Decree an explosive masterful novel.

A high-caliber police procedural mystery from the acclaimed author Warren Adler, well-known for the iconic novel turned international box-office hit The War of the Roses. The poison pen of Polly Dearborn, an infamous Washington Post investigative reporter, has gone silent. When Polly is found hanging from her balcony in the Watergate apartments, Washington's elite and powerful rejoice-the Witch of Watergate is dead! But Polly's voice reaches beyond the grave, and her final articles may contain clues to some big secrets. Homicide detective Fiona Fitzgerald, well-versed in the behind-the-scenes dealings of Washington, doesn't buy the suicide angle. But secret alliances between the police, the Post, and the mayor make Fiona's job difficult. What's worse is that her new and unlikable partner, Charleen Evans, seems to be working against Fiona when she takes control of the evidence herself. All challenges aside, Fiona knows the political world and is determined to find the truth. The Witch of Watergate is the fourth book in the Fiona Fitzgerald Mystery series.

A high-caliber police procedural mystery from the acclaimed author Warren Adler, well-known for his iconic novel turned international box-office hit "The War of the Roses." Old money, old secrets. The elderly mother of the Governor of Virginia, an icon of Washington society, is found dead and sexually assaulted in her posh Washington, DC, residence. Metropolitan Police detective Fiona Fitzgerald investigates the horrifying crime. As a senator's daughter, she has the advantage of knowing the world of Washington's privileged. Young Martine, the accused, has no advantages. He was not raised in a family with political leverage and did not understand Washington's politicians' inner workings and secrets. Then there is the devoted servant, the status-hungry daughter-in-law, the drugs, power, and money-but where does the truth lie within this complicated family drama? Through it all, Fiona wrestles with her feelings about marriage as she considers marriage to a former general, who is now mounting a massive offensive for her hand. Will an inside look at one Washington marriage-and all of its dirty little secrets-help her choose? Fiona must battle both privilege and prejudice as she uncovers the inevitable truth behind the political facade. Death of a Washington Madame is the third book in the Fiona Fitzgerald Mystery series.

For feisty Los Angeles crime reporter Molly Blume, life is good. She is newly married (to the adoring and adorable Rabbi Zack), and her latest true-crime book is a hot seller. However, when an overardent fan's attentions arouse Molly's suspicion, her thoughts turn uneasily to stalkers. But the fan, Reuben Jastrow, swears that he desperately needs Molly's help in finding his eighteen-year-old daughter, Hadassah, who has run away from home to be with a man she met on the Internet. Molly hesitantly agrees--and immediately has regrets. For Reuben hasn't told her the whole truth. The more Molly looks for clues to the missing girl's fate, the more she wonders: Is Hadassah a random victim of a predator, or is the girl a pawn in a scheme of revenge against her family?

A Nick Hoffman / Academic Mystery, Book 8 -Successful professor Nick Hoffman finds his secure, happy, college-town life changed forever after a nightmarish encounter with police. The idea that someone can accuse you of a crime, and a SWAT team shows up at your door and drags you away? But even when that horrible night is over, tension and paranoia build in ways that are far too plausible. Someone is clearly out to destroy him. Nick and his partner Stefan Borowski face an escalating series of threats that lead to a brutal and stunning confrontation. A novel of suspense, Assault with a Deadly Lie probes the disturbing psychological impact of slander, harassment, stalking, police brutality, and the loss of personal safety within the academic world. In this eighth novel in the series, Lev Raphael, Lambda Award winner, takes us on an especially topical voyage into politics and college freedoms. Included in this new edition, a foreword by Carole B. Shmurak (Susan Lombardi mysteries) as well as a new introduction by the author. "A riveting great read for mystery/suspense fans, Lev Raphael once again documents his impressive gifts, holding the reader's rapt attention from beginning to end with unexpected plot twists and surprise twists." - Midwest Book Review "In Assault with a Deadly Lie, the ivory tower topples under a barrage of guns and violence. Nick Hoffman and his partner find that literature and an idyllic domestic life are no match for a deranged character's revenge conspiracy." - Lynn C. Miller "A splendidly written story of innocence, intrigue, and invisible enemies, Assault with a Deadly Lie waltzes beautifully between poignancy and terror. But better still is the question that will haunt readers long after the book is put down: Could this happen to me?" - P.J. Parrish

In this golden age sci-fi novel, war has rendered significant portions of Europe either uninhabitable or barbaric. The U.S. Government has failed, to be replaced by organized crime--Syndic is short for Syndicate.

A dazzling triumph from the bestselling author of 'The War of the Roses' - a sweeping and ambitious novel spanning across two eras and the city at the center of it all. A mother's deathbed confession. A son's life spins out of control. And now Osiris has one mission; to find his long lost sister, Isis. Osiris embarks upon a journey to his ancestral home in Egypt. The winding streets of the City of the Dead conceal many dangers. His mother's enemies are everywhere and will not hesitate to kill to keep their secrets hidden. Cryptic clues left by his mother slowly begin to unravel, and with it, a trail of cold bodies in Osiris' wake. But he is not the only one searching for Isis. And this predator is not looking for a happy reunion but something much more sinister. This bitter and incredibly deadly enemy is hot on Osiris' scent; he's hunter that triggers a heart-stopping chase with utterly fatal consequences. Follow Osiris in this edge-of-your-seat roller-coaster ride of daring maneuvers and nerve-wracking action as they try to find Isis before they both end up in just another Egyptian tomb. Readers thrilled about this edge of your seat novel: "Mother Nile is an utterly engrossing story." - Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Mr. Adler’s writing is remarkable; his use of language erudite and energized." - Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Mr. Adler is a masterful storyteller..." - Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "This story is so skillfully drawn to pull us in from the start and keep us captive till the very end." - Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "What a lovely gift inside a nitty-gritty novel that cannot be easily classified.. It is as tender as as it is cruel." - Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "The story line itself makes the book worthwhile, but the detailed look at life in the recent past makes the book exceptional." - Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐